Leonard Bernstein

Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic will present Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds, a citywide festival in 2008 celebrating the work of the late composer Leonard Bernstein. The festival will celebrate both the 90th anniversary of Bernstein's birth and the 50th anniversary of his appointment as the Philharmonic's music director.

The Observer's Benjamin Ivry wrote about Mr. Bernstein:

As a composer, performer, writer and teacher, Bernstein made an indelible impression in this city as music director of the New York Philharmonic from 1958-1969 and laureate conductor thereafter. He kept an apartment at the Dakota, lodged his family a commute away in Fairfield, Conn., and penned the ur-New York Broadway musicals West Side Story, On the Town and Wonderful Town.

The festival will kick off Sept. 24, 2008 when Carnegie Hall launches its 2008-09 season with an All-Bernstein Opening Night Gala. The evening will feature Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony as well as performances by Dawn Upshaw, Thomas Hampson and Yo-Yo Ma. Concertgoers can expect to hear selections from Fancy Free, A Quiet Place, On the Town, Wonderful Town, Candide and West Side Story.

More than 30 events will celebrate the life and career of Mr. Bernstein from Sept. 24-Dec. 13, 2008.

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Chevy Chase says he was asked to have a recurring role on Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update,” but that was before the W.G.A. strike. Recalling his recent debut appearance on the sketch show’s mock-news segment, for which he was apparently paid scale, the Caddyshack actor said he was disappointed by the poor writing. He also blames his poor performance on a standing ovation from the audience. “I didn’t want to overshadow the new kids," he told Fox News, referring to co-anchors Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers, adding: "I was shocked." According to Mr. Chase, 64, who was only on SNL for its first season, famed musical composer Leonard Bernstein nearly hosted an episode during the show’s inaugural year on the air. “The idea of John [Belushi] and Danny [Aykroyd] coming out doing a number from that show cracked us up," Mr. Chase said. But when the comedian and writer Tom Schiller visited Mr. Bernstein backstage, the West Side Story creator got fresh with the wrong guy. “He put his hand on my knee. When we were leaving, he kissed me full-on, on the lips,” Mr. Chase remembered. “I wagged my finger at him and said, ‘No, no, no.’ And that was the last we ever heard from him."

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[Gawker]
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[OuterB]
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[Forbes via Real Deal] - Tom Acitelli
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